Saarbrucken

Saarbrucken is the capital and largest city of the German state of Saarland, situated next to the border with France. The city's name means "Saar bridges", as there are about a dozen bridges over the Saar River in the city. In the 6th century, the Merovingian Franks settled the area as "Merkingen", and the county of Saarbrucken was formed in 1120, with some buildings being built around the castle. During the Thirty Years' War, the population of Saarbrucken was reduced from 4,500 in 1628 to 70 in 1637, and, during the Franco-Dutch War in 1677, the French burned all but eight houses to the ground. "Sarrebruck" would remain a part of France until the end of the War of the Grand Alliance in 1697, and it was returned to French control from 1793 to 1815 as a result of the French Revolutionary Wars. After 1815, Saarbrucken became a part of the Rhine Province of Prussia, and the coal and iron resources of the region were developed. In 1920, Saarbrucken became the capital of the Territory of the Saar Basin, and the Saar's coal mines were placed under French control for 15 years. In 1935, 90% of the electorate voted for reunion with Nazi Germany, and Saarbrucken would be heavily bombed during World War II, with 75% of the city being left in ruins and 1,234 people being killed between 1942 and 1945. In 1947, Saarbrucken became capital of the Saar Protectorate, and the Saarland rejoined West Germany in 1957, with Saarbrucken serving as the state capital. In 2016, Saarbrucken had a population of 329,593 people, and 700,000 in its metro area.